Facing Oppression by Development: Mahathir Mohammed
Mar. 16, 2005
Mahathir Mohammed
The
Department of Malaysian Studies at Cairo University held a one-day conference,
The Political Thought of Mahathir Mohammed, on March 10, 2005. It was a chance
to discuss Mohammed’s visions on different issues: development, globalization,
and multiethnicity in Malaysia. Dr. Mahathir Mohammed is the former prime
minister of Malaysia and one of the most prominent politicians in the Islamic
world. According to a profile by Melina Nathan, Mohammed is considered to be the
spokesman for the new Asia, upholding Asian and Malaysian values, criticizing
Western double standards, and winning a following among non-Western and
developing countries.
Mohammed
was the conference's guest of honor. In a 16-minute lecture, he talked briefly
about the history of Malaysia and its experience of independence in politics and
economics. He referred to the right of resistance and pointed to the connotation
of anti-Semitism, the controversial term that he was accused of using
offensively against the Jewish people. He called for more work to confront
oppression all over the world.